Jaffrey is a small New Hampshire town at the foot of Mount Monadnock, one of the most-climbed mountains in the world. Its restored downtown Park Theatre hosts a monthly open mic, and the Monadnock region's coffeehouses and pubs add more open stages within 20 minutes. This guide covers Jaffrey's history, the local music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Jaffrey
The Monadnock region was part of the Abenaki and Pennacook homelands. Colonists settled Jaffrey in the 1750s, and it was incorporated in 1773, named for colonial official George Jaffrey.
In the 1800s, Jaffrey's mills made textiles and wooden goods, and Mount Monadnock drew writers and artists, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Novelist Willa Cather wrote at the Shattuck Inn and is buried in the Old Burying Ground in Jaffrey Center.
Today Jaffrey is a town of about 5,000, known for its hiking, its historic Jaffrey Center village and its restored Park Theatre.
The Jaffrey Music Scene
Jaffrey's music life centers on The Park Theatre, a restored community theater on Main Street that hosts concerts, films and a monthly open mic. The Monadnock region has a strong folk tradition, with coffeehouses, contra dances and shape-note singing in nearby towns like Peterborough, Dublin and Nelson.
Keene, about 25 minutes west, adds more clubs and open mics.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Jaffrey
- The Park Theatre (19 Main St.) – A restored community theater with a monthly open mic.
- DubHub (Dublin Community Center) (1123 Main St., Dublin) – A coffeehouse and open mic.
- Del Rossi's Trattoria (Dublin) – A restaurant with open mics.
- Peterborough Town House – Folk concerts and contra dances.
Open Mics and Open Jams In and Near Jaffrey
Jaffrey has a monthly theater open mic, and neighboring Dublin adds more. Below are the best options, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Open mics and jams change hosts, nights and venues often. Always check the venue's or host's website or social media before heading out with your gear.
In Jaffrey
- Open Mic Night at The Park Theatre (19 Main St.) – Second Wednesdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Usually 8–10 performers; two to three songs or 5–10 minutes each. Three vocal mics and a two-channel acoustic guitar amp provided. Musicians, poets, storytellers and bands welcome; donation requested.
Nearby
- Coffee House and Open Mic at DubHub (1123 Main St., Dublin) – Periodic Saturdays, 6:00–9:00 p.m.; sign up by email or in person.
- Open Mic at Del Rossi's Trattoria (Dublin) – Thursday evenings around 6:30 p.m.
- Shape Note Singing (Nelson Town Library) – Periodic Sunday afternoon group singing.
Jaffrey-Area Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday (2nd) | Open Mic (6:30 p.m.) | The Park Theatre, Jaffrey | All Styles |
| Thursday (confirm) | Open Mic (6:30 p.m.) | Del Rossi's, Dublin | All Styles |
| Saturday (periodic) | Coffee House & Open Mic (6 p.m.) | DubHub, Dublin | Acoustic |
Tips for Playing Jaffrey-Area Open Mics and Jams
- Keep it to two or three songs. The Park Theatre open mic moves quickly.
- Plan for winter. Monadnock-region roads can be snowy.
Helpful Local Resources
- The Park Theatre (theparktheatre.org) – Open mic dates.
- NHPR Folk Show calendar (nhpr.org) – New Hampshire folk events and open mics.
